IT Systems

Andrew Boff: How have you been involved in the GLA effectively capitulating to Microsoft, and what chance is there of welcoming any innovation or diversity into the running of the IT systems at City Hall?

The Mayor: ‘Capitulation’ is not a word either I or the Chief Officer recognise.Like most public sector organisations, the GLA has standardised its office systems (email, calendars, word-processing, spreadsheets and collaboration tools) on the Microsoft 365 suite of products. As part of the Transformation Programme the GLA is providing, as a standard, the Microsoft Surface Pro device – as this has been designed to work seamlessly with 365.
The GLA continues to use other software solutions. Much of the technology infrastructure is based on Open Source Systems as are the digital services – such as the website and the London Datastore. The GLA Open Project System (GLA OPS) was developed by the GLA to support grants and project management in housing and now has been embraced in other major areas, including skills. We have published the code for others to use.
Through the Chief Digital Officer, the GLA is keen to build London's capabilities in this area. The GLA helped establish the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) to support London's boroughs, including working with Bloomberg Associates on the first ever collective mapping of technology behind London's local services. City Tools: London, an open dashboard, will drive collaborations between local authorities and identify opportunities for new entrants and innovators into the government technology market as well as making, sharing and reuse.